Synovectomy of the knee joint.

: Patients with active rheumatoid arthritis of the knee should be considered for synovectomy to arrest the disease and to preserve joint function. Careful selection of patients on the basis of the weight bearing roentgenogram is important. Surgery should not be delayed if there is evidence of progression of the disease on serial roentgenograms, or if the original films reveal early joint disease. Preservation of the suprapatellar pouch to prevent adhesions of the quadriceps mechanism greatly improves the postoperative range of motion. Long term follow-up over 10 years has demonstrated the value of synovectomy in rheumatoid arthritis of the knee.